Verf. 2o. the Epifile tó.the Romans. Donrine. us what h meaxt by [thou? S 5 L. The whole body and congrega- tion of the Gentiles, of what Countrey roever, and namely, the Chriftian Ro- manes) which had received the religion of Chrift; which are here fpoken unto, as if they were but one man, that every perfbn might thinke himfelf fpoken un- to,and fo apply it. T t st. Whitt fignifies [if anding ?] S I L.Sometimes the certainty of faith and grace,Rom.5.2.fometimes conftancy, i Cor. 15.1. and 116. 13. but here it fig- nifies the ftate and condition of a Chri- ffian, or of a member of a Chriftian Church : [ ffanding ] is the fame with gral$ng, ver. 1 g. T I us. What ftgaijiet [faith ?] S t L. Either the profeffion of faith in the mouth, if we referre this unto filch as be hypocrites (which are known to God only , ) or the gift of true and lively faith in the heart, freely apple- bending Gods grace in Chrift, if we re- fer it to true beleevers. The fummary meaning is thus much, that our condi- tion and efface, as we are Chriflians and members of Gods Church, doth confift wholly and onely by the mercies of God embraced by faith in Chrift, either feemingly, as by counterfeit Chrifti- ans, or truely and indeed, as by right Chriftians,which are fo indeed as they be named. T 5 m. What is the doíïrine out of theft fitff words? S a L. That the eftate and very being of a Chriftian depeudeth on faith. For as before Paul layed down [infi- delity ] to be the true and proper caufe of the breaking off and defiruftion of the Jewes, fo now he fignifieth faith to bete very caufe of ingrafling the Gen- tiles into Chrift. Faith it is then that makes us to be Chriftians and members of Gods Church, Gá1.3. 26. Wee are made the fonnes of God by faith in Chrift, and againe, We are made righ- teous by faith. And herein is a maine difference between faith' and all other graces and workes of the Spirit, as hope,love,repentance, &c.that thofe doe not make us, but declare us to be the 47g children of God,as it is laid oflove,that thereby we are knowne to be Chrifts Dilciples, John 53. 35. John 3. 23 . but by faith we are made and conftitu- ted members of Chrift, and are planted into the tree of his Church,and become branches thereof. As good fruit caufeth nota tree to be good, but is a witneffe of the goodneffe of the tree : So good workes,and all other good gifts do te- fti6eus to beChriftians, but faith only makes us to be fttch, For we live by faith, Gal. 2. 20. Rom. t. 12. Whereas both our Englifh Divines, and others, doe write, that we are ingraffed into Chrift by baptifine, it mutt be meant that it is a Sacrament and a Peale of that faith, which regenerateth and ingraffeth into Chrift, Rom. 4. i i. for which purpofe read M. Fu/l'e on ALP. 22. 17. and Rom. 6. q.. T 5 M. What reafons are there to prove this, that faith onely makes as to be Chriffians ? S. t L.Fi riff, we are Chriflians by that ;'Reafons. which quickens us unto God; but it is faith alone by which we are quickned to Godward ; for before faith be come, we, were dead in fin, Epbef. 2.5,2,3,5, 8. Se- condly, we are not the members of Chrift,till we be united to him as to our head : but this union is wrought by. faith, EpE of 3.1 y. Till we be adopted by grace, to be made the fons of God, and have Chrifts righteoufneffe imputed to us, we are none of Chrifts : but both our adoption and juftilication are done by faith, Rem. 3.28. Gal. 3.26. therefore it is by faith that we are branches of the true Olive, and do pleafe God. T i M.What profit are CbrifI itas to make to them felvesof thia dotfrine ? S t L. It confutes both Papifts who teach that the very Aft of Baptifme makes us to become Gods children, and fo doth.juftifie, regene. rate, and fanEtife us : as alfo the phan- tafticall fpirits, which taught that we are the Connes of God, before we be- leeve. Secondly, it warneth us of the miferable eftate, that the Pagans -, Turkes, Jewes, and all infidels which be without the Church, do live in; as alto Sf all
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